*Galaxy officials said this afternoon the previously announced game against Inter Milan has been canceled and an Aug. 7 game against Real Madrid at the Rose Bowl has been scheduled in its place.

“While we were looking forward to playing Inter Milan, we are very pleased to be able to bring our fans a game against one of the world’s biggest clubs, one that features a host of the world’s top players in Real Madrid,” said Tom Payne, president of business operations. “Many fans will remember Madrid’s last visit to Los Angeles when the teams played in front of a capacity crowd at The Home Depot Center in 2005, and now we will be hosting them at the historic Rose Bowl in what will prove to be another memorable game for soccer fans throughout Southern California.”

Tickets are on sale starting at $46, which includes a ticket to the Independence Day game against the Seattle Sounders (guess they were having trouble moving those).

Real Madrid has 10 players at the World Cup. New Real Madrid Manager Jose Mourinho is expected to bring such players to Southern California as 2007 FIFA Player of the Year Kaka, 2008 FIFA Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo, Dutch midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart, Argentine forward Gonzalo Higuain and Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas, the Galaxy said.

LD is on Letterman tonight (AP Photo).

Here’s what Donovan said to David Letterman on his appearance at 11:35 tonight on CBS:

NEW YORK (AP) — Soccer either needs more referees or instant replay, Landon Donovan told David Letterman on Tuesday night.

The U.S. soccer star appeared on the “Late Show” on CBS after returning from the World Cup, where the Americans won their group for the first time in 80 years. The United States was twice the victim of the disputed calls that have plagued the tournament, as the team had goals disallowed.

“It’s difficult because we know how fast the game is, and as a referee, you can’t see
everything,” Donovan said. “So you either need more eyes on the field or you need some sort of instant replay.”

Donovan said it’s frustrating “to put that much into something you’re doing, and then all of a sudden, it’s taken away from you.”

*The Galaxy captain four other national television appearances in New York Wednesday before returning to Southern California for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Sounders, where the best American player at the World Cup should rightly receive a red, white and blue hero’s welcome.

Donovan’s other TV appearances:

*7:30 a.m. Wednesday on “Good Morning America” on ABC.

*8 a.m. Wednesday on “The Early Show’ on CBS.

*9 a.m. Wednesday on “Live with Regis and Kelly” on ABC

*11 p.m. Wednesday on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” on Comedy Central.

All times are approximate.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal fell to Spain at the World Cup today (AP Photo).

*Spain won the battle of the Iberian Peninsula today 1-0 over neighboring Portugal. The World Cup quarterfinals are now set.

Commented Akecko Eskandarian on Facebook:

Cristiano Ronaldo is out of the #WorldCup. This means a lot less women will be watching games, and one less crybaby will be playing in them.

*Both the Galaxy and Chivas USA return to action tonight in the U.S. Open Cup. The Galaxy play Division II AC St. Louis. at 7:30 p.m. at Home Depot Center. Tickets are $10, parking is free and the swanky Stadium Club is open to all spectators.

The Steve Ralston-less and financially troubled St. Louis advanced to tonight’s game with back-to-back 1-0 road wins over the Des Moines Menace and the NSC Minnesota Stars.

The Galaxy boast the best record in MLS at 10-1-3, while conceding just four goals, while AC St. Louis is at the foot of the Division II table with a mark of 2-7-2 and just fired their head coach. The new coach, Dale Schilly, made his debut last weekend in a 0-0 tie with the Vancouver Whitecaps.

From the Galaxy press release: If the Galaxy defeat St. Louis on Tuesday night, they will play the winner of the game between Portland and Seattle in the Open Cup Quarterfinals. If Portland wins, they will play the Galaxy at The Home Depot Center on Wednesday, July 7 at 7:30 p.m., while if Seattle wins, they will host the Galaxy at Starfire Sports Complex on Wednesday, July 7 at 7:30 p.m.

I plan to blog from the game, so check back later for updates.

Chivas USA (3-9-1), losers of six straight games, play the Austin Aztex at 7:30 p.m. at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium in Fullerton. Tickets are $10.

Chivas faces a considerably tougher task on paper than the Galaxy.

From the Aztex press release:

In league play, Austin sits atop the USSF D-2 Pro League table with 30 points – eight points clear of the next closest competition. The Aztex also lead the league in scoring and need just one more goal in their next league match to tie their total from a season ago in half as many games.

A victory against Chivas USA, paired with a Houston Dynamo victory against the Miami FC Blues, brings the Aztex back home for the quarterfinal matchup against Houston next Tuesday. However, Miami FC would host the Aztex if both teams emerge on top Tuesday night.

The Aztex beat the PDL DFW Tornados and amateur Arizona Sahuaros before facing Chivas USA in the U.S. Open Cup.